The apostle proves Christ's resurrection from the dead. (1-11) Those who denied the resurrection of the body answered. (12-19) The resurrection of believers to eternal life. (20-34) Objections to this answered. (35-50) The mystery of the change made to the living at Christ's second coming. (51-54) The Believer's Triumph over Death and Grave, An Exhortation to Zeal. (55-58)1-11 The word resurrection usually points to our existence beyond the grave. In all the teachings of the philosophers there is not a trace of the apostle's teaching. The doctrine of Christ's death and resurrection is the foundation of Christianity. Remove this and all our hopes for eternity sink at once. And by holding fast to this truth, Christians stand the test day and remain faithful to God. We believe in vain if we don't hold fast to the faith of the gospel. This truth is confirmed by Old Testament prophecies; and many saw Christ after he was risen. This apostle was very popular, but he always had and expressed a low opinion of himself. When sinners are turned into saints by divine grace, God causes the memory of past sins to make them humble, diligent, and faithful. He attributes everything that was valuable about him to divine grace. While true believers are not ignorant of what the Lord has done for, in, and through them, when they consider their overall behavior and commitments, they are led to feel that no one is as worthless as they are. All true Christians believe that Jesus Christ, and He was crucified and then rose from the dead, is the sun and substance of Christianity. All the apostles agreed with this testimony; in that belief they lived, and in that belief they died.
12-19 After showing that Christ was risen, the apostle answers those who said there would be no resurrection. There would have been no justification or redemption if Christ had not been raised. And must not faith in Christ be vain and useless when it is still among the dead? The proof of the resurrection of the body is the resurrection of our Lord. Even those who died in faith would have perished in their sins if Christ had not risen. All who believe in Christ have hope in him as Savior; hope of redemption and salvation through him; but if there is no resurrection or future retribution, they can only hope for this life. And they must be in worse condition than the rest of mankind, especially at the time and under the circumstances in which the apostles wrote; for at that time the Christians were hated and persecuted by all men. But it is not like that; They, of all people, enjoy solid comfort in the midst of all their difficulties and trials, even in the times of severe persecution.
20-34 All who are joined to Christ by faith are assured of theirs through His resurrection. As through the sin of the first Adam all men became mortal, because all of him had the same sinful nature, so through the resurrection of Christ all who were made a partaker of the spirit and spiritual nature will revive and live forever. There will be order in the resurrection. Christ himself was the firstfruits; at his coming his redeemed people will be exalted before others; in the end the wicked will also rise up. Then this present state will be over. If we are to triumph in this solemn and important time, we must submit to His dominion, accept His redemption, and live for His glory now. Then we shall rejoice in the completion of His enterprise, that God may receive the full glory of our salvation, that we may serve Him forever and enjoy His favor. What should those who are baptized for the dead do if the dead do not rise at all? Perhaps baptism is used here in a figure, for afflictions, suffering and martyrdom, like #Mt 20:22,23|. What is or will become of those who suffered many and great injuries and even lost their lives for this resurrection teaching if the dead do not rise at all? Whatever the meaning, no doubt the apostle's argument was understood by the Corinthians. And it is equally clear to us that Christianity would be a foolish profession if it took advantage of its faithfulness to God; and to have our fruit unto holiness, that our end might be life everlasting. But we must not live like animals because we do not die like them. It must be ignorance of God that causes everyone to disbelieve in the resurrection and the afterlife. Those who have one God and one providence, and observe how unequal things are in the present life, how often the best of men are at their worst, cannot doubt an after state where all will be made right. Let's not be with ungodly people; but warn everyone around us, especially children and young people, to avoid them as a plague. Let us awaken to righteousness and not to sin.
35-50 1. How are the dead raised? that is, by what means? How can they be raised? 2. Concerning the bodies that will arise. Will it be of the same shape and form and stature and limbs and qualities? The former objection comes from those opposed to the Teaching, the latter from curious doubters. To the first the answer is: This should be effected by divine power; this power, for all to see, is like her year after year in the death and resurrection of the corn. It is foolish to question the almighty power of God to raise the dead when we see it every day making dead things alive and reviving them. For the second question; The grain undergoes a great change; and so will the dead when they rise and live again. The seed dies, although part of it gives new life, although we cannot fully understand how it comes about. The works of creation and providence teach us daily to be humble and to admire the wisdom and goodness of the Creator. There is great variety among other bodies, as well as among plants. Among the celestial bodies there is a multiplicity of glories. The bodies of the dead, when they are resurrected, will be fit for the heavenly bodies. The bodies of the dead, when resurrected, will be fit for the heavenly state; and there will be multitudes of glory among them. Burying the dead is like planting seeds on the ground to sprout again. Nothing is more abominable than a dead body. But believers will have bodies at the resurrection made fit to be forever united with spirits made perfect. For God all things are possible. He is the author and source of spiritual life and holiness for all his people, feeding the soul with his Holy Spirit; and he will also enliven and transform the body through his spirit. The dead in Christ will not only rise, but will rise so gloriously changed. The bodies of the saints are changed when they are resurrected. They will then be glorious and spiritual bodies adapted to the heavenly world and condition where later they will dwell forever. The human body in its present form, with its needs and weaknesses, cannot enter or enjoy the kingdom of God. Then let us not sow in flesh from which we can only reap destruction. And the body follows the state of the soul. So he who neglects the life of the soul throws away his present possessions; those who refuse to live for God waste everything they have.
51-58 All the saints shouldn't die, but all would change. Many truths are made known in the gospel that were previously hidden in mystery. Death will never appear in the regions where our Lord will carry His risen saints. Let us therefore seek the full assurance of faith and hope that amidst pain and the prospect of death we can quietly think of the horrors of the grave; assured that our bodies will sleep there and our souls will be present with the Savior during this time. Sin gives death all its hurtful power. The sting of death is sin; but Christ removed that sting by his death; he made atonement for sin, he received forgiveness from it. The power of sin is the law. None can meet its demands, endure its curse, or remove its own transgressions. Hence terror and fear. And so death is terrible for the unbelievers and unrepentant. Death may seize a believer, but it cannot hold him in its grip. How many sources of joy to the saints and thanksgiving to God are opened by the death and resurrection, sufferings and victories of the Redeemer! In verse 58| we have an exhortation that the believers should be steadfast and steadfast in their faith in the gospel which the apostle preached and which they received. Also unshakable in her hope and expectation of this great privilege of being brought up to be incorruptible and immortal. And to abound in the Lord's work, always doing the Lord's service and obeying the Lord's commandments. May Christ give us faith and strengthen our faith so that we are not only safe but also joyful and triumphant.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.